Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-12

The different Protestant churches OF
the city joined in the annual meeting OF
the Rock Island County Bible society at
the U. P. church last evening. The de-
votional and praise service was conducted |
by the different pastors, Rev. Dr. Hassel-
9uist, president of the society, presiding.
Rev. DIR. Brown acting as secretary, read
the minutes of the last meeting, and
Treasurer Barth's annual report, showing
receipts of 81, 1877. 10, all of which had
been disbursed during the year, was
read. County Agent Everest read his
annual report.
THE ANNUAL SERMON
was preached by Rev. A. B. Medium, of
the Central Presbyterian church, whose
theme was THE Adoption of the Bible"
and his text was taken from Psalm 119:
1879 and 1870:
Thy testimonials are wonderful, etc:
My theme, said the speaker, what
should it be on such an occasion as this
but the bible, that wonderful book, that
unique phenomenon, that book which
holds and has held in this world place
never equalled-never even approached
by any other. Eighteen centuries ago
! on onnStla Of Iaons Chr;ef onoba Of tho
bible as the word of the Lord, which liv>
eth and abideth forever. Seventeen
hundred years later the word of the Lord
still retained the vitality of which the
apostle spoke. About that time the
cleverest man IN Europe ventured the
prophecy that In another century the
bible would be forgotten book. The
century has passed; W bich of the proph-
ecies is that which stands today-St
Peters or Voltaire's? In the past seventy
years, during which, according to thu
great infidel's prediction, the bible should
have been gradually passing out o
print, and passing away from the memo
ries and affections of mankind. no les
than ZOE, DOC. 900 copies have been print
ed and scattered upon the face of tn
EARTH through the ages of the variou
bible societies alone. And today tn
supply is not equal to the demand, New
er in the whole history of Voltalre's ow
country was there time when this boo
was circulated more freely or read NOR
with a superstitious and ignorant poper
and blatant and iconoclastic infidehty
the people in all quarters of France al
turning to the pure word of God, as
is given to them in their own language
exercising the God-given right of privat
judgment, reading it and studying it fC
themselves, and to their wonder and 10
finding in it that food for which the
souls have been craving. Common sen
suggests that no book can retain permal
O ent powers and popularity from age
- age through merely artificial causes.
- is mere foolishness to speak of the bib
as the offspring of superstition, mail
~ tanned in its place from age to age throu!
e the mere fame of tradition and the de
1t weight of conservatism" A book tn
m for eighteen centuries has run the gaun
let of every variety of assault and cri'
cism, that throws its pages open to eve
eye and pleads for reading, that fea
lessly challenges the reverence OF t
highest, and defies the scorn of the prot
est must possess intrinsic qualities of
highest order. There must be a reas
for its marvellous vitality. 1t is alw,
nineteenth century as it was in the s
ond century. 1t never becomes an
quated-it is old, but it does not acqu
a decrepit look. Time writes no wrinf
h on its brow. Empires may decay,
lions may be wasted, cities may be sack
but this, as though quickened by SC
Immortal element, lives on and refuses
be destroyed, gathering as it were I
energy, widening the circle of Its
l. fluence even by means of the very re
buttons that turn the world upside do
hu 1t is the book for all races and for
generations down to the end of time.
ice 1t was Mr.. Meldrum's purpose on
occasion to set forth and illustrate
perfect adaptation of the scriptures
mankind for the purpose. not so niue
le- showing the reason for the perpetuit'
off its influence, as of finding therein
son why professed believers in that b
should arouse themselves to greater
ale igence and earnestness in spreading
md abroad among fellowmen at home
abroad.
First, the bible was wonderful for
die adaptation as an intellectual being.
ina all ages it has been associated with
III highest forms of intellectually.
in. nobest minds of every age have fC
time to study it. and abundant tin
admire it. 1t is companion of all kl
ledge. embracing history, poetry, phi
ply, theology and prophecy. 1t is al
tellectual, as well as q moral lumil
pouring its rays into all the regio
~ thought and every department of h,
oh knowledge. 1t is the mightiest Ell
y that is employed to advance the scie
: produce sound and vigorous liter
and give success to philosopher
metaphysical Investigations. 1t is w
OF the most honored place alike in
/. cottages of the poor, the palace {
rich and the libraries of the learned
fills place in ancient and modern 1
ture. In the whole world of letters
is not at this moment more impo
hLn work being accomplished than Il
translation, which. under the silent
sublime labors of the missionary is
ing the bible classic book in
) human tongue.
Again. the bible is wonderful
perfect adaptation to man as MOI